Wireless communication device, wireless communication system, wireless communication method and program

ABSTRACT

Provided is a wireless communication device which includes a function information transmitting unit for transmitting, via a wireless communication network, function information relating to a function of the wireless communication device, a function information receiving unit for receiving function information transmitted from another device, a function information comparison unit for comparing the function information of the wireless communication device and the function information received from such other device, and a function determination unit for determining which of the wireless communication device and such other device is to play a function of an access point, based on a result of the comparison by the function information comparison unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/286,004 (filed on Oct. 5, 2016), which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/593,197 (filed on Jan. 9, 2015 and issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 9,491,608 on Nov. 8, 2016), which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/748,263 (filed on Mar. 26, 2010 andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,934,464 on Jan. 13, 2015), which claimspriority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-092402 (filed on Apr.6, 2009), which are all hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, awireless communication system, a wireless communication method, and aprogram.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, due to advantages such as a greater degree of freedomof devices or the like, a wireless network typified by IEEE 802.11,which is a LAN standard, is becoming more popular, taking the place of awired network, and applications that are used are becoming more varied.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[Patent Literature 1] JP-A-2008-283590

[Patent Literature 2] JP-T-2008-523697

[Patent Literature 3] JP-A-2007-74561

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the infrastructure mode of IEEE 802.11, the operation of an accesspoint (AP) is started first, and notification information (beacon) isperiodically transmitted from the access point at a frequency that isset in advance. A station (STA) finds the access point, which is acommunication counterpart, by receiving the beacon transmitted from theaccess point.

On the other hand, a method is assumed of determining an access pointand a station by negotiation after connection has been completed,without distinguishing in advance an access point and a station amongcommunicating devices. According to this method, since it is not knownat what frequency the counterpart is operating, notifications, such asbeacons, are transmitted while switching the frequencies, and when thefrequencies of devices match at a certain timing, the notificationinformation can be received for the first time and connection can becompleted.

However, in this case, which device will be the access point has to bedetermined for sure at the time of negotiation, before thetransmission/reception of data between the connected devices.

In light of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide a wirelesscommunication device, a wireless communication system, a wirelesscommunication method, and a program which are novel and improved, andwhich enable to determine for sure which device will play the role of anaccess point by negotiation at the time of connection.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided awireless communication device which includes a function informationtransmitting unit for transmitting, via a wireless communicationnetwork, function information relating to a function of the wirelesscommunication device, a function information receiving unit forreceiving function information transmitted from another device, afunction information comparison unit for comparing the functioninformation of the wireless communication device and the functioninformation received from such other device, and a functiondetermination unit for determining which of the wireless communicationdevice and such other device is to play a function of an access point,based on a result of the comparison by the function informationcomparison unit.

The function information transmitting unit may transmit, as the functioninformation relating to the function of the wireless communicationdevice, a weight for the function of the wireless communication device.The function information receiving unit may receive, as the functioninformation transmitted from such other device, a weight for thefunction of such other device. The function information comparison unitmay compare the respective weights for the wireless communication deviceand such other device.

The function information transmitting unit may transmit, as the functioninformation relating to the function of the wireless communicationdevice, accumulated value of the weight of each function of the wirelesscommunication device. The function information receiving unit mayreceive, as the function information transmitted from such other device,accumulated value of the weight of each function of such other device.The function information comparison unit may compare the respectiveaccumulated values of the weights for the wireless communication deviceand such other device.

A storage unit for storing priority relating to the function informationmay be included. The function information comparison unit may comparepieces of the function information based on the priority.

The function information may be information relating to at least one ofconnection/non-connection of AC power, a remaining battery amount, amaximum communication speed, a number of usable frequency channels,presence or absence of a bridge function, a supported encoding method, aCPU processing capacity, presence or absence of a display, and afunction of an input device.

The function information may change flexibly depending on a currentstate of the wireless communication device or such other device.

A weight calculation unit for calculating the weight for each functionof such other device based on the function information transmitted fromsuch other device may be included. The function information comparisonunit may compare the weight for each function of the wirelesscommunication device and the weight for each function of such otherdevice.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a wireless communication system which includes a first wirelesscommunication device including a function information transmitting unitfor transmitting to a second wireless communication device, via awireless communication network, function information relating to afunction of the first wireless communication device, a functioninformation receiving unit for receiving function informationtransmitted from the second wireless communication device, a functioninformation comparison unit for comparing the function information ofthe first wireless communication device and the function informationreceived from the second wireless communication device, and a functiondetermination unit for determining which of the first wirelesscommunication device and the second wireless communication device is toplay a function of an access point, based on a result of the comparisonby the function information comparison unit, and the second wirelesscommunication device including a function information transmitting unitfor transmitting to the first wireless communication device, via thewireless communication network, the function information relating to thefunction of the second wireless communication device, a functioninformation receiving unit for receiving the function informationtransmitted from the first wireless communication device, a functioninformation comparison unit for comparing the function information ofthe second wireless communication device and the function informationreceived from the first wireless communication device, and a functiondetermination unit for determining which of the second wirelesscommunication device and the first wireless communication device is toplay the function of the access point, based on a result of thecomparison by the function information comparison unit.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a wireless communication method which includes the steps oftransmitting, via a wireless communication network, function informationrelating to a function of a wireless communication device, receivingfunction information transmitted from another device;

comparing the function information of the wireless communication deviceand the function information received from such other device, anddetermining which of the wireless communication device and such otherdevice is to play a function of an access point, based on a result ofthe comparison.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a program for causing a computer to function as means fortransmitting, via a wireless communication network, function informationrelating to a function of a wireless communication device, means forreceiving function information transmitted from another device, meansfor comparing the function information of the wireless communicationdevice and the function information received from such other device, andmeans for determining which of the wireless communication device andsuch other device is to play a function of an access point, based on aresult of the comparison.

According to the embodiments of the present invention described above,which device will play the role of an access point can be determined forsure by negotiation at the time of connection

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of awireless communication device according to each embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing functions of a station 1 (STA1)and a station 2 (STA2);

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a weight for havingeach function of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing weight changing depending ofremaining battery amount;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing weight changing depending on thecapacity of an input device (a user interface);

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the result of calculation of theweights based on FIGS. 3 to 5, for each of the station 1 and the station2 shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of determining, in case thestation 1 (STA1) and the station 2 (STA2) shown in FIG. 2 startcommunication, which device is to operate as an access point;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing functions of a station 3 and astation 4;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the order of priorities forbecoming an access point, decided based on the functions shown in FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of determining, accordingto the priorities, which of the station 3 and the station 4 is to be anaccess point;

FIGS. 11A to 11C are schematic diagrams for describing a bridgefunction; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of artinformation processing apparatus equipped with the wirelesscommunication device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elementsthat have substantially the same function and structure are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of thesestructural elements is omitted.

The explanation will be given in the following order.

<1. First Embodiment>

(1) Technical Basis

(2) Configuration of Wireless Communication Device

(3) Flow of Processes according to First Embodiment

<2. Second Embodiment>

(1) Flow of Processes according to Second Embodiment

(2) Bridge Function

(3) Configuration Example of Information Processing Apparatus withBuilt-In Wireless Communication Device

<1. First Embodiment>

(1) Technical Basis

Most of the wireless LAN connection modes defined by IEEE 802.11, whichis a wireless LAN standard, are an infrastructure mode of performingcommunication via an access point. At the time of connecting wirelessly,a radio has to somehow find a connection counterpart. To find here meansto be in a state where synchronization of frequency channels and timingscan be established.

In the infrastructure mode of IEEE 802.11, the operation of an accesspoint (AP) is started first, and a beacon is periodically transmitted ata frequency (referred to as F1) that is set in advance. Here, the beaconis notification information including an ESS-ID, which is an identifierof a network, or the like. A station (STA) finds the access point, whichis a communication counterpart, by receiving the beacon transmitted fromthe access point. At this time, the frequency of the station (STA) maybe set by a user to be the same as the frequency F1 of the access point(AP), or the station may continue reception while switching thefrequency channels defined by IEEE 802.11 one by one until the stationdetects the beacon.

In the infrastructure mode, which device is an access point and whichdevice is a station are determined at the time of manufacturing thedevices, and a user selects an access point or a station at the time ofpurchase. Alternatively, the user sets a device to be an access point ora station after purchasing a device.

On the other hand, a method can be assumed according to which twoterminals are connected one-to-one in a simple manner by using themechanism of IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN without the user consciouslydistinguishing between an access point and a station. According to thismethod, the terminals are equal to each other without the distinction ofaccess point and station, and at the time of communication, both startsearching for each other at the same time. Negotiation is performedafter each other is found, and one plays the role of a simple accesspoint, and the other plays the role of a station. Accordingly, thismethod enables to realize a simple infrastructure mode withoutdistinguishing between an access point and a station.

According to the method described above, the user specifies only thedevices for performing communication without specifying in advance whichdevice is to be the access point or the station, and the devices performnegotiation and one of the devices autonomously takes the role of theaccess point. Thus, a rule becomes necessary for determining at the timeof negotiation which device is to be the access point.

According to the present embodiment, which terminal is to be the accesspoint is autonomously determined by the devices, and an evaluationmethod and evaluation items for the autonomous determination aredecided. In the present embodiment, which device is to take the role ofthe access point is determined, at the time of negotiation, based on thefunction information of each terminal (weights of functions, or thelike) and the order of priority thereof. Hereunder, the presentembodiment will be described in detail.

(2) Configuration of Wireless Communication Device

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of awireless communication device 100 according to each embodiment of thepresent invention. The wireless communication device 100 is configuredto be able to communicate with other wireless communication device by awireless communication network such as IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b andIEEE 802.11n, which are wireless LAN standards. As shown in FIG. 1, eachwireless communication device 100 includes a data processing unit 102, atransmission processing unit 104, a wireless interface unit 106, acontrol unit 108, a memory 110, and an antenna 112.

At the time of transmission, the data processing unit 102 createsvarious data frames and data packets in response to a request from anupper layer, for example, and supplies the same to the transmissionprocessing unit 104. The transmission processing unit 104 performs, atthe time of transmission, processing such as adding to a packetgenerated at the data processing unit 102 various data heads or an errordetection code such as a frame check sequence (FCS), and provides thedata which has been processed to the wireless interface unit 106. Thewireless interface unit 106 generates, from the data received from thetransmission processing unit 104, a modulation signal in a frequencyband of a carrier, and makes the same transmitted from the antenna 112as a radio signal.

Furthermore, at the time of performing a reception operation, thewireless interface unit 106 decodes the various data frames bydown-converting the radio signal received by the antenna 112 andchanging the same to a bit sequence. That is, the wireless interfaceunit 106 can function, in cooperation with the antenna 112, as atransmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmission processing unit104 analyzes the headers added to the various data frames supplied fromthe wireless interface unit 106 and checks, based on the error detectioncode, that each data frame includes no error, and then, supplies thevarious data frames to the data processing unit 102. The data processingunit 102 processes and analyzes the various data frames and data packetssupplied from the transmission processing unit 104.

The control unit 108 is a block for controlling the respectiveoperations of the data processing unit 102, the transmission processingunit 104, and the wireless interface unit 106, and the control unit 108can perform operations such as determination of a transmission/receptionfrequency, creation of a control message (notification information suchas a beacon, a beacon acknowledgement, a probe request and a proberesponse), issuance of a transmission command for the control message,and interpretation of the control message, and the control unit 108controls various operations of the wireless communication device 100,such as reception operation and transmission operation. Furthermore, thecontrol unit 108 creates a control message including functioninformation such as weight information of the present embodiment, andinterprets the control message, for example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 108 includes, as main structuralelements, a function-information creation/transmission-instruction unit108 a, a reception/interpretation processing unit 108 b, a comparisonunit 108 c, and a determination unit 108 d. The function-informationcreation/transmission-instruction unit 108 a creates the control messageincluding function information such as weight, or issues a transmissioncommand for the control message. The reception/interpretation processingunit 108 b performs a reception process or an interpretation process forthe control message including the function information transmitted fromthe communication counterpart. The comparison unit 108 c compares thefunction information of the self device (the device to which the unit inquestion belongs) and the function information transmitted from thecommunication counterpart. The determination unit 108 d performs anoperation of determining, based on the comparison result by thecomparison unit 108 c, which of the self device and the communicationcounterpart is to take the role of the access point or of the station.

The memory 110 plays the role of a work area for the data processing bythe control unit 108, and has a function of a storage medium for holdingvarious types of data. Various storage media, for example, a volatilememory such as a DRAM, a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, a harddisk and an optical disk, may be used as the memory 110. Additionally,each block shown in FIG. 1 can be configured from hardware (circuit).Furthermore, each block can be configured from a processor (CPU) andsoftware (program) for making the processor function. In this case, theprogram can be stored in the storage medium included in the wirelesscommunication device 100, such as the memory 110.

(3) How of Processes according to First Embodiment

Hereunder, a detailed explanation will be given on a method ofdetermining, by negotiation, which device is to be the access point incase a station 1 and a station 2 communicate with each other. Bothstation 1 and station 2 are assumed to have a function conforming toIEEE 802.11. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the functions of thestation 1 (STA1) and the station 2 (STA2).

As shown in FIG. 2, the station 1 and the station 2 have a specificfunction in relation to each of the items “AC power is connected?,”“remaining battery amount,” “maximum communication speed,” “number ofusable frequency channels,” “bridge function is implemented?,”“supported encoding method,” “CPU processing capacity,” “display isprovided?,” and “input device.” The station 1 and the station 2 differfrom each other in function for each item. In the present embodiment,weights are set depending on these functions.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing examples of the weight to be givento each function shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, in case AC poweris connected, the weight is “3.” In case the maximum communication speedis faster, the weight is “2.” In case the number of usable frequencychannels is larger, the weight is “1.” In case a bridge function isimplemented, the weight is “3.” In case the number of supported encodingmethods is larger, the weight is “1.” In case the processing capacity ofthe CPU is higher, the weight is “1.” Also, in case a display isprovided, the weight is “2.” In the present embodiment, the higher theweight, the more suited as an access point it is determined to be, andthus it tends to become the access point at the time of negotiation.

Additionally, the method of quantifying the CPU processing capacity isnot particularly limited. For example, the weight given to a device canbe set to “1” in case the manufacturer (maker) of the device decidesthat the device has sufficient CPU processing capacity for operating asan access point. Also, in case the manufacturer of a device decides thatthe device does not have sufficient CPU processing capacity foroperating as an access point, the weight given to the device can be setto “0.”

Among the functions shown in FIG. 2, the weights relating to the items“remaining battery amount” and “input device” are flexibly changeddepending on their levels. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing weightchanging depending on the remaining battery amount. Regarding theremaining battery amount among the functions shown in FIG. 2, the weightis set depending on the remaining amount. As shown in FIG. 4, when theremaining battery amount is 100% to 75%, the weight is 3; and when it is74% to 50%, the weight is 2. Also, when the remaining battery amount is49% to 25%, the weight is 1; and when it is 24% to 0%, the weight is 0.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing weight changing depending on theability of an input device (user interface). Among the functions shownin FIG. 2, the weight is set for the ability of an input devicedepending on the ability, and a device having a higher pedal ming userinterface is made to be the access point. As shown in FIG. 5, when aninput device is not included, the weight is 0; when a push button isincluded as the input device, the weight is 1; and when a keyboard isincluded as the input device; the weight is 2.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the result of calculating, theweights for each of the station 1 and the station 2 shown in FIG. 2,based on FIGS. 3 to 5. When the weights are determined in accordancewith FIGS. 3 to 5 for the functions of the station 1 and the station 2shown in FIG. 2, the result shown in FIG. 6 is obtained where the weightof the station 1 (Weight(STA1)) is “15” and the weight of the station 2(Weight(STA2)) is “4.”

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of determining, in casethe station 1 (STA1) and the station 2 (STA2) shown in FIG. 2 startcommunication, which device is to operate as the access point. First, insteps S10 and S20, calculation of the weight information is performed ateach of the station 1 and the station 2. In step S10, the station 1calculates the weight (Weight(STA1)) of itself; and in step S20, thestation 2 calculates the weight (Weight(STA2)) of itself.

Next, in step S12, the station 1 transmits the weight of itself,Weight(STA1)=15, to the station 2. Also, in step S22, the station 2transmits the weight of itself, Weight(STA2))=4, to the station 1.Additionally, although each device transmits the accumulated value ofthe weights, it is also possible to obtain and transmit a weight only ofa specific function. Furthermore, the information to be transmitted toanother station does not have to be the weight, and may be theinformation itself on the functions as shown in FIG. 2, for example. Inthat case, calculation of the weight of a station, which is thecommunication counterpart, is performed by a station which has receivedthe function information. The calculation of the weight can be performedat the function-information creation/transmission-instruction unit 108a, and the function-information creation/transmission-instruction 108 afunctions as a weight calculation unit.

The station 1 compares, in the next step S14, the weight Weight(STA1) ofitself and the weight Weight(STA2)=4 received from the station 2, anddecides whether Weight(STA1) is larger than Weight(STA2). In the exampleshown in FIG. 7, since the weight of the station 1 is larger than theweight of the station 2, the process proceeds to step S16 and thestation 1 is determined to be an access point.

Also, the station 2 compares, in step S24, the weight Weight(STA2) ofitself and the weight Weight(STA1) received from the station 1, anddecides whether Weight (STA2) is larger than Weight(STA1). In theexample shown in FIG. 7, since Weight (STA2) is equal to or smaller thanWeight (STA1) and the weight of the station 2 is smaller than the weightof the station 1, the process proceeds to step S26 and the station 2 isdetermined to be a station in the infrastructure mode.

The station 1 will function as an access point after step S16, and thusit will transmit a beacon. On the other hand, the station 2 willfunction as a station in the infrastructure mode after step S26, andthus it will receive the beacon transmitted from the station 1 and willtransmit data to the station 1.

Additionally, in case Weight(STA1) is equal to or smaller thanWeight(STA2) in step S14 and Weight(STA2) is larger than Weight(STA1) instep S24, the station 2 will be an access point in step S16. Also, thestation 1 will be a station in the infrastructure mode in step S26. Inthis case, after step S26, the station 2 will transmit a beacon and thestation 1 will transmit data to the station 2.

As described above, according to the process shown in FIG. 7, whichdevice is to be an access point is determined by negotiation using theweights. Accordingly, a device showing higher suitability for an accesspoint can be determined to be the access point, based on the functionsof each device,

As described above, according to the first embodiment, which of thedevices performing one-to-one communication will be an access point canbe determined by setting a weight in accordance with the functions ofeach station.

<2. Second Embodiment>

(1) Flow of Processes according to Second Embodiment

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.The second embodiment is for determining whether a device is to be anaccess point or a station, according to the priorities assigned to thefunctions of each station.

Here, communication is assumed to be performed by a station 3 and astation 4. As with the first embodiment, the station 3 and the station 4are both assumed to have functions conforming to IEEE 802.11. FIG. 8 isa schematic diagram showing the functions of the station 3 and thestation 4.

Also, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the order of priorities forbecoming an access point, decided based on the functions shown in FIG.8. The information shown in FIG. 9 is acquired in advance by eachstation as shared information, and is stored in the memory 110, forexample.

In the second embodiment, the functions of the station 3 and the station4 are determined in order starting from 1 of the priorities shown inFIG, 9, according to each item. Which device is to be an access point isdetermined based on the superiority or inferiority per item. FIG. 10 isa sequence diagram showing a flow of determining, according to thepriorities, which of the station 3 and the station 4 is to be an accesspoint.

First, in step S30, the station 3 transmits function informationrelating to priority 1 to the station 4. Here, as shown in FIG. 9, thefunction information relating to priority I is connection/non-connectionof AC power, and as shown in FIG. 8, the station 3 does not have ACpower (AC power is not connected). Thus, in step S30, the station 3transmits to the station 4 information that it does not have AC power.

Next, in step S40, the station 4 transmits the function informationrelating to priority 1 to the station 3. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, thestation 4 does not have AC power either. Thus, in step S40, the station4 transmits to the station 3 information that it does not have AC power.

Next, it is decided at the station 3 in step S32 that the station 3 doesnot have the function of priority 1 and that the station 4 also does nothave the function of priority 1. In this case, which device is to be anaccess point is not determined based on the function of priority 1.Accordingly, the process proceeds to step S34 in this case.

Similarly, it is determined at the station 4 in step S42 that thestation 3 does not have the function of priority 1 and that the station4 also does not have the function of priority 1. In this case, whichdevice is to be an access point is not determined based on the functionof priority 1, and thus, the process proceeds to step S44.

In step 34, since which device to be an access point was not determinedby the function of priority 1, the station 3 transmits to the station 4function information relating to priority 2. Here, as shown in FIG. 9,the function information relating to priority 2 is presence or absenceof a bridge function, and as shown in FIG. 8, the station 3 has thebridge function. Accordingly, in step S34, the station 3 transmits tothe station 4 information that it has the bridge function.

Similarly, in step S44, the station 4 transmits to the station 3 thefunction information relating to priority 2. Here, as shown in FIG. 8,the station 4 does not have the bridge function, and thus, the station 4transmits to the station 3 in step S44 information that it does not havethe bridge function.

Next, it is decided at the station 3 in step S36 that the station 3 hasthe function of priority 2 and the station 4 does not have the functionof priority 2. In this case, which device is to be an access point canbe determined based on the function of priority 2. Accordingly, thestation 3 is determined in step S38 to be an access point.

Similarly, it is decided at the station 4 in step S46 that the station 3has the function of priority 2 and the station 4 does not have thefunction of priority 2. Accordingly, the station 4 is determined in stepS48 to be a station in the infrastructure mode.

The station 3 will function as an access point after step S38, and thus,it will transmit a beacon. On the other hand, the station 4 willfunction as a station in the infrastructure mode after step S48, andthus, it will receive the beacon transmitted from the station 3 and willtransmit data to the station 3.

Additionally, in FIG. 10, an example is shown in which an item istransmitted one by one from the parameters of functions of higherpriority and comparison is made at the stations 3 and 4. However, thestation 3 and the station 4 may transmit to each other all theinformation shown in FIG. 8 at one time, and comparison may be made inorder starting from an item of high priority.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, a device showinghigher suitability for an access point can be determined to be theaccess point by performing negotiation according to the priority of thefunctions of each station.

(2) Bridge Function

Next, the bridge function in each embodiment described above will bedescribed. FIGS. 11A to 11C are schematic diagrams for describing thebridge function. In FIG. 11A, a terminal 1 is a terminal which has thebridge function. The terminal 1 is connected at the same time to both aterminal 2 and an access point. The terminal 2 and the access point cantransmit/receive information by the bridge function of the terminal 1.

Similarly, in FIG. 11B, a terminal 3 is a terminal which has the bridgefunction. The terminal 3 is connected at the same time to both aterminal 4 and a public wireless base station. The terminal 4 and thepublic wireless base station can transmit/receive information by thebridge function of the terminal 3. Similarly, in FIG. 11C, a terminal 5is a terminal which has the bridge function. The terminal 5 is connectedat the same time to both a terminal 6 and a terminal 7. The terminal 6and the terminal 7 can transmit/receive information by the bridgefunction of the terminal 5. As described, the bridge function is afunction capable of relaying between two terminals at the time of thetwo terminals transmitting/receiving information.

(3) Configuration Example of Information Processing Apparatus withBuilt-In Wireless Communication Device

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of aninformation processing apparatus 200 equipped with the wirelesscommunication device 100. In FIG. 12, the information processingapparatus 200 is, for example, a device such as a personal computer, andthe wireless communication device 100 is, for example, a device such asa wireless LAN card mounted within the personal computer. Theconfiguration of the wireless communication device 100 is the same asthat described with FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 12, the wireless communication device 100 is providedwithin the information processing apparatus 200. Furthermore, theinformation processing apparatus 200 includes an input device 202 suchas a keyboard, an output device 204 such as a display, a control unit206 such as a CPU, a power processing unit 208, a battery 210, and anexternal power interface 212. A signal from the input device 202 isinput to the control unit 206. Also, the input device 202, the outputdevice 204, and the power processing unit 208 are controlled by thecontrol unit 206.

In this case, information such as “connection/non-connection of ACpower,” “remaining battery amount,” “CPU processing capacity,” “displayprovision,” and “capacity of input device” described with FIG. 2 isinformation relating also to the information processing apparatus 200.Accordingly, the control unit 108 of the wireless communication device100 can perceive these pieces of information relating to the informationprocessing apparatus 200 by the control unit 206 of the informationprocessing apparatus 200 transmitting the information to the controlunit 108 of the wireless communication device 100. Also, regarding theCPU processing capacity, since the control unit 206 of the informationprocessing apparatus 200 and the control unit 108 of the wirelesscommunication device 100 have to perform processing in cooperation, thetotal of the processing capacities of the control units 108 and 206 ofboth sides can be taken as the “CPU processing capacity” of FIG. 2.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A first electronic device used in a wirelesscommunication system using data defined in IEEE 802.11, the firstelectronic device comprising: circuitry configured to set a first valueindicating a suitability for transmitting a signal of the firstelectronic device, wherein the first value represents a magnitudeassociated with a function of the first electronic device and the firstvalue changes flexibly depending on a current state of the firstelectronic device, receive a data frame from a second electronic device,detect a second value from the data frame, the second value representinga magnitude associated with a function of the second electronic device,compare the first value with the second value, and determine whether thefirst electronic device operates as an electronic device transmitting asignal or not, wherein the first electronic device is set as anelectronic device transmitting the signal, in response to adetermination that the first value is larger than the second value, andwherein the first electronic device is set as an electronic device nottransmitting the signal, in response to a determination that the firstvalue is smaller than the second value.
 2. The first electronic deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium.
 3. The first electronic device according toclaim 2, wherein the set first value is stored in the non-transitorycomputer-readable medium.
 4. The first electronic device according toclaim 1, wherein the first value is set as one of numerical values 0-15.5. The first electronic device according to claim 1, wherein thefunction information is associated with one of numerical values 0-15. 6.The first electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the signalcomprises a beacon.
 7. The first electronic device according to claim 1,wherein the function of the first electronic device is a transmittingfunctionality.
 8. The first electronic device according to claim 1,wherein the function of the first electronic device and the function ofthe second electronic device are the same.
 9. A communication method,executed via at least one processor associated with a first electronicdevice, and using data defined in IEEE 802.11, the method comprising:setting a first value indicating a suitability for transmitting a signalof the first electronic device, wherein the first value represents amagnitude associated with a function of the first electronic device andthe first value changes flexibly depending on a current state of thefirst electronic device; receiving a data frame from a second electronicdevice; detecting a second value from the data frame, the second valuerepresenting a magnitude associated with a function of the secondelectronic device; comparing the first value with the second value; anddetermining whether the first electronic device operates as anelectronic device transmitting a signal or not, wherein the firstelectronic device is set as an electronic device transmitting thesignal, in response to a determination that the first value is largerthan the second value, and wherein the first electronic device is set asan electronic device not transmitting the signal, in response to adetermination that the first value is smaller than the second value. 10.The communication method according to claim 9, wherein the first valueis set as one of numerical values 0-15.
 11. The communication methodaccording to claim 9, wherein the function information is associatedwith one of numerical values 0-15.
 12. The communication methodaccording to claim 9, wherein the signal comprises a beacon.
 13. Thecommunication method according to claim 9, wherein the function of thefirst electronic device is a transmitting functionality.
 14. Thecommunication method according to claim 9, wherein the function of thefirst electronic device and the function of the second electronic deviceare the same.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium havingembodied thereon a program, which when executed by a processorassociated with a first electronic device causes the electronic deviceto execute a communication method using data defined in IEEE 802.11, themethod comprising: setting a first value indicating a suitability fortransmitting a signal of the first electronic device, wherein the firstvalue represents a magnitude associated with a function of the firstelectronic device and the first value changes flexibly depending on acurrent state of the first electronic device; receiving a data framefrom a second electronic device; detecting a second value from the dataframe, the second value representing a magnitude associated with afunction of the second electronic device; comparing the first value withthe second value; and determining whether the first electronic deviceoperates as an electronic device transmitting a signal or not, whereinthe first electronic device is set as an electronic device transmittingthe signal, in response to a determination that the first value islarger than the second value, and wherein the first electronic device isset as an electronic device not transmitting the signal, in response toa determination that the first value is smaller than the second value.16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 15,wherein in the executed method, the first value is set as one ofnumerical values 0-15.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumaccording to claim 15, wherein in the executed method, the functioninformation is associated with one of numerical values 0-15.
 18. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 15, whereinin the executed method, the signal comprises a beacon.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 15, whereinthe function of the first electronic device is a transmittingfunctionality.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium accordingto claim 15, wherein the function of the first electronic device and thefunction of the second electronic device are the same.